northwest health district alert:
If you’ve reached our website looking for information on STD testing or HIV prevention, please either click on “COUNTIES” or a specific county (e.g., Bartow) for contact information for that health department, then call for a confidential discussion of your needs. Thank you. Read More
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to be cautious about eating pre-cut cantaloupe if they cannot verify its source. At least five people in Georgia have become infected with Salmonella likely due to eating the contaminated cantaloupe. Across the country, 117 people have also been sickened, nearly half requiring hospitalization.
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is investigating several potential cases of high blood lead levels in children around the state who may have eaten recalled cinnamon applesauce pouch products. The FDA says the products contain high levels of lead.
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding Georgians that holiday gatherings, crowded travel, and more time indoors make it easier for germs to spread, especially those that cause flu, COVID, and RSV. Vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Rome, GA: Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District county health departments are now offering flu vaccines on either a walk-in basis, an appointment basis, or both. Contact your local county health department for specific days, hours, and to confirm if an appointment is needed or not.
ATLANTA – With temperatures expected to be in the high 90’s throughout the state for the next several days, and at times feeling like more than 100 degrees with the humidity, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat and sun, and to limit strenuous outdoor activity to prevent heat related illnesses. To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed.
ATLANTA – While the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeing an uptick in new COVID cases and hospitalizations related to COVID, the numbers remain relatively low, compared to the state’s peak in January 2022 or even summer COVID increases in previous years.
If you have had diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, or other gastrointestinal symptoms lasting longer than several days, public health officials urge you to talk to your healthcare provider. If not treated, cyclosporiasis can last a month or longer. Symptoms may subside or go away and then return several times. Your healthcare provider can order testing to confirm the illness and may treat you with antibiotics.
ATLANTA – The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration will expire at the end of the day. Now that we have safe and effective vaccines, ample testing infrastructure, and most people have some level of immunity due to vaccination or infection, COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.
Following FDA regulatory action, CDC has taken steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and allow more flexibility for people at higher risk who want the option of added protection from additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) was awarded $2,495,831.85 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The grant funding is used to provide technical assistance and resources to partner agencies statewide, develop community support for motor vehicle safety programs, support data linkages and help evaluate program efforts.
Quickly find and check the scores for restaurants in our area.
Health fairs, meetings, and more – take a look at public health events in your area!
In 2020, nearly 92,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. In response to this growing epidemic, the Northwest Georgia Department of Public Health has created a mobile app with resources, information, and news pertaining to opioids. The NWGA DPH Opioid Program App “Stories of Recovery” series is a collection of district-wide testimonials for inspiration, encouragement, and hope for those struggling with substance use disorder, seeking recovery, or loved ones supporting someone in this situation. For more information, please visit https://nwgapublichealth.org/opioids/. To View Opioid Series
Are you or someone you know being forced to work for little or no pay and cannot leave?
To learn more about sex trafficking in America and what you can do to help address this problem, please visit this resource.
